Police appeal for witnesses in Stoke Newington murder

Police investigating the murder of Yaya Mbye, the 26-year-old man stabbed to death in Stoke Newington, have returned to the estate where he was killed to appeal for information.

Mbye collapsed in the children’s playground on the George Downing estate, off Cazenove Road, last Sunday after being set upon by three men and repeatedly stabbed, witnesses said. He was taken to hospital where he died an hour later.

Police believe the murder was planned. They are looking for three men dressed in dark clothing, who they say arrived and left the scene of the crime in a silver Mercedes estate.

They appealed for anyone who saw or heard anything in the area of the housing estate last Sunday to come forward. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound.

A passer-by tried to stem the flow of blood with their coat as Mybe lay dying in the playground.

Playground at George Downing estate. Pic: Neena Bhawon.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes, who is leading the investigation, said officers are reviewing CCTV footage and forensic evidence.

“I believe there was a level of planning into this murder and I am interested in hearing from anybody who may have seen or heard anything in the area of the housing estate in the late part of Sunday evening.”

The murder is the second fatal stabbing in Stoke Newington in the last month. Daniel Frederick, 34, was killed near his home in Shakspeare Walk. An 18-year-old from Clapton has been charged with his murder.

Extra police officers patrolled several areas in Hackney last Monday evening and in the early hours of Tuesday as stop and search tactics were stepped up in the wake of the murder.

Mbye’s mother, Ndey Mbye, from Hackney, said she worried about her other three sons, aged seven, 14 and 22. “I have to walk my kids to school. I am scared for them. I am doing my best to look after them but I am in fear” she told the Evening Standard.

Mrs Mbye said her son was “a nice boy who got in with some bad company.

“He was a big Arsenal fan who loved football. He was always good with the family and the last time he saw me he gave me a big hug. He gave a lot of joy. We were so close and I am heartbroken.”

One resident on the estate told ELL she and her husband were woken by shouting or arguing and then saw lots of blue lights. She was concerned the estate would be branded a “dangerous place”.

A local woman said: “George Downing has no link to this tragedy. It’s a sign of the times. It’s not representative of this estate”.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed knife crime in the capital increased 23% in the last year – 2% higher than the rest of the country.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 1570 or 101 or you can Tweet information to @MetCC.